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Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Users' reports

As well as reading our description of each walking route, you can read about the experiences of others users on this walk and others.There are 4 user reports for this walk - click to read them.

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park by the start of the track through the Strath Mor, just east of the bridge at the head of Loch Slapin. There is room to park on the grass without blocking the track itself. The track is signposted 'Luib 3.4miles'. Walk a few metres along the track, turning off and heading uphill to the right. There are traces of a path if you keep about ten metres or so to the left of the fence. When a small stream comes down and goes under the fence, don't cross the stream (or fence) but bear left up the ill-defined ridge to the left of the stream.

Stage 2

The going becomes stonier and less boggy as height is gained. There are great views back over Loch Slapin, and Bla Bheinn and its neighbours look magnificent over to your left; Belig looks particularly fearsome from here. Continue up the ill-defined ridge which steepens slightly higher up. It's much further to the summit that it appears.

Stage 3

The stream down to the right peters out and the ridge begins to narrow as the summit is approached. The final section is along a delightfully level grassy ridge, with a particularly steep drop down to Strath Mor on the left.

Stage 4

The cairn at the summit may only be 572 metres, but the view is magnificent. Sgurr nan Gillean has joined Blaven and its neighbours to the west, whilst a great sweep of coast past Ben Tianavaig and the Storr leads the eye north. The islands of Raasay and Scalpay and both well seen, as is Applecross and a sweep of mainline coast round to the Skye bridge. Unless intent on a much longer walk continuing northwards, the best return is back by the route of ascent.